Portage County Fires Ruled Arson

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

Portage County Fires Ruled Arson

WINDHAM, Ohio —

Two recent fires in Portage County were the result of arson, the State Fire Marshal announced Friday.

The fires occurred at the same apartment complex in Windham last month, about a week apart.

Spokesperson Shane Cartmill said the first blaze was set on East Center Street on January 18. Then, a few days later on January 26, another intentional fire–on Maple Grove Road. Luckily, in both incidents, no one was hurt.

Authorities say between September 2010 and August 2011 five other fires were set in the same neighborhood. One person was convicted with starting two of the blazes.

Cartmill said the latest fires could be connected, but that he could not reveal how they were set because of the ongoing investigation.

A $5,000 reward is being offered for tips leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible.